Birmingham Tech, the organisation at the heart of the region’s technology sector, has teamed up with multi-award-winning PR agency EAST VILLAGE. to promote and support the West Midlands’ thriving tech scene. The organisations have come together to elevate the start-ups and scale-ups that are helping the region reach its global ambition of becoming a respected tech hub.
Having launched Birmingham Tech Week in 2019, Birmingham Tech has firmly established itself at the heart of the region’s tech community. Working closely with West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham Tech supports organisations across Birmingham and the West Midlands to foster an environment of collaboration and give businesses a platform to celebrate their success.
Through an extensive joint network and notable partnerships, the non-profit organisation has already supported over 500 businesses; including helping to raise over £25 million in VC investment and funding through its first accelerator. EAST VILLAGE. will now join Birmingham Tech’s mission of connecting, amplifying, and growing the region’s tech scene.
Yiannis Maos, Founder of Birmingham Tech, was awarded an MBE in the King’s 2023 New Year’s Honours list for services to tech. He comments:
“On the back of the recent announcement that Martin Ward has been appointed as the West Midlands Tech Commissioner, it’s more important than ever that we’re shouting from the rooftops about the exciting and scalable businesses here in the region.
There’s no doubting that tech is set to be a leading industry, not just for the West Midlands, but the UK as a whole – and Birmingham Tech is here to create the best possible environment for growth. Throughout the year, and during our annual Birmingham Tech Week, we sit in that ‘sweet spot’ between business support, investment and funding, and talent and skills.
Working with EAST VILLAGE. means that we can not only tell more tech entrepreneurs that we’re here to support them, but really help those innovative businesses grow and thrive. Our ambitions for this region are big and we needed an agency that not only shares that passion, but is as bold and brave as we are!”
The West Midlands remains the UK’s fastest growing tech sector, with £2.7 billion forecast to be added to the tech economy by 2025 alone.
Established in 2013, EAST VILLAGE. is one of Birmingham’s leading PR agencies, working alongside organisations in the creative and tech, leisure and hospitality, and health and wellbeing sectors. Founder and Managing Director, Tara Attfield-Tomes, adds:
“I’ve spent over 15 years shouting about how incredible Birmingham and the West Midlands is and in that time, community and collaboration is what shines through. Yiannis, his team, and their wider network of partners embody everything that is brilliant about this region: they’ve created a truly impressive ecosystem that is built for businesses to thrive.
I’m honestly thrilled that we’ve partnered with Birmingham Tech – we have some of the most creative minds here on our doorstep, especially when it comes to leading industries like ProfTech and HealthTech. We want to support Birmingham Tech in taking these businesses global, whilst also remaining focused on the benefits to the local community: addressing key issues like digital poverty and getting more people into the sector with the right skills.
EAST VILLAGE. is an agency that loves placing a spotlight on changemakers, and we know that this partnership is set to do just that!”
The partnership between Birmingham Tech and EAST VILLAGE. follows the recent appointment of Martin Ward as the West Midlands’ first tech commissioner, and just ahead of this year’s West Midlands Tech Review.
Ward, who boasts a 35-year career within both blue-chip and start-up organisations, will drive forward the region’s ambitions on a national and international scale. Meanwhile, the West Midlands Tech Review returns on 16 May and will bring together over 500 senior leaders from across the industry to mark the publication of the latest digital strategy for the West Midlands.
The flagship Birmingham Tech Week is also set to return to the city later this year, in addition to Birmingham Tech’s ongoing scale-up initiatives and showcase events.
To find out more about the organisation, connect to relevant support, and access funding opportunities, visit Birmingham Tech’s website.
